Preamp Showdown: BAT or Sonic Frontiers?

i have never heard anyone complain of soggy bass with BAT stuff. i suspect that reviewer's system had other issues that caused the soggy bass problem. as far as the "chestiness" goes, i have heard that complaint before but i have never noticed the problem in my vk-30 (which is for sale, btw). BAT stuff tends to be pretty neutral.

the vk-30 is a great piece imho. i am only selling it to upgrade to another BAT preamp. i can't comment on the sonic frontiers preamps except to say that the future of that company is questionable, based on what some people in the industry have told me.

s2k, BAT user for life

I've been through a ton of high end gear over the last 25 years, especially preamps. My BAT VK-30 blew me away when I inserted it into my system, the BAT stuff is the best gear I've owned yet. How would I describe the BAT VK30...smooth, very lightly rolled off treble, authoritative bottom end, medium paced. There may be better but I suspect would cost a LOT more for very little improvement. I've fiddled around with SF, for these ears the BAT wins hands down.

I have extensive experience with both the VK-5i and the VK-50se and they do not have soggy bass. Must have been a problem somewhere else in the system.